The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1887-09-24
BY ACCIDENT.
How Mrs. Escott Was Cured Of
Her Selfish Sorrow.


Mrs. Escott sat alone in her room. by
sunny south window, her hands lying
Idly in her lap, her scmbre eyes gazing
vacantly before her, as though the
great garden below with its wealth Of
shrubbery and flowers and the green
lawn beyond. possessed nothing to in
terest or charm her. She owned the
handsome stone house with its many
beautiful rooms, all handsomely fur
nished. the extensive orchard and the
fertile pasture and woodland beyond it.
She had very comfortable bank 40
count too. and did not spend half her
income. But she was not happy. Her
heart was empty, and consequently life
possessed little of interest for her. In
deed, she often asked herself why she
was permitted to live at all, finding as
she did the days so long, SO burdensome,
so full of bitterness and pain.
1t had been different once, of course.
Far from this little town into which
she had come stranger two years be-
fore this June day on which my story
opens, she had once had a happy home,
q loving husband, two noble sons, and
fair, young daughter. Death had
robbed her of them all, and left her Bit
ter, cold and desolate. She had left
the place where she had been so happy,
unable to bear its painful associations;
had bought this great stone house en-
closed by high brick wall, and had
shut herself away from every one she
had ever known, making no calls. re-
ceiving none, and growing harder,
colder and more bitter with every day.
She had been to church only once
since she had taken up her abode in
Brentwood. She had not liked the SER
mon on that occasion. and had thought
the preacher tedious. and uncertain a.
to the theories he expounded. So she
had not gone again.
She saw the minister on the street
now, as she sat by the south window.
He was thin. stoop-shouldered man.
with careworn face, and she felt no
interest in him whatever. When she
heard her door-bell ring, . moment
after he passed out of sight. she felt
sure he had come to call upon her, and
wondered impatiently If Margaret
would let him in, or If she would have
the sense to tell him that her mistress
was getting ready to 60 to the city on
business and therefore could not see
him.
She rose. and went to the door Of hel
room, taking her bonnet from the
wardrobe on her way. She could hear
Margaret's voice very distinctly from
where she stood.
There's no use in your comm in.
ma'am" ESQ it was not the minister).
Mrs. Escott don't give to no charities
at all. II she was to give to one she'd
have to give to all. an the bell would
be ringin' continual"
''But If could talk to Mrs. Escott
tor only moment, lam sure she would
be interested in this" replied q
woman's voice, clear and earnest. ut
Is for the benefit of the factory chill
dren. We want to establish q reading
room for them, where an entertaining
lecture Of some sort can be given every
Sunday morning. The idea is 10 keep
them out of the streets and low resorts,
and to incite them to be cleanly and
orderly. II Mrs. Escott would take an
interest in it.
'.Mrs. Escott don't take no interest
in any thing" interrupted the servant.
I'VE have her orders that she amt to
be worried about callers. an though
I'd be willin' to please you. ma am. if
l could, it would be as much as my
place would be worth to let you in to
see her. Besides, she's gettin' ready
TO 60 to the city by the eleven train"
Il am very sorry" said the earnest
voice. II wish could reach her. She
would be happier. l think. II she took
an active interest in outside masters. :"
There amt no chance O. her bein'
happy. ever" said Margaret. ..She
amt got nobody to be happy for" and
then the hall door closed, and Margaret
went back to the kitchen to the society
Of the cook
Two hours later Mrs Escott was in a
railway train, twenty miles from Brent
wood Hereyss eassd from the window